$1.3 million plan to install a closed-circuit television system in the city.

Timothy Marshall made the plea to protect the privacy of law abiding citizens in a letter to Mayor of Hamilton William de V. Frith which he forwarded to The Royal Gazette .

Mr. Marshall said: "I would ask the Corporation to reconsider its position and not install a CCTV system.

"Your intentions of reducing and deterring crime are appreciated, but the method that you are proposing is going to trample upon the privacy rights of law abiding citizens.'' Mr. Marshall's message follows a letter he received from the Mayor asking for a contribution.

The CCTV system will cost $1.3 million and Government will fund half the cost.

The Corporation plans to commit $325,000 to the project and are seeking the support of the business community to raise the other $325,000.

Mr. Frith said: "CCTV has proved extremely effective in reducing and deterring crime in other towns and cities and we have every reason to believe that it will be equally so in Hamilton.

"I urge you to consider the benefits of contributing to a safer and more secure City. I can assure you that your contribution would be gratefully received and you would have the satisfaction of knowing that you have directly helped in the battle to fight crime.'' But Mr. Marshall suggested that Corporation Council members "dust off'' a copy of George Orwell's novel 1984 and read it.

"After they have read it, I would ask each of them to consider whether they wish to be remembered as the individuals who set in motion a system where our activities are being constantly monitored by Government and the Police.'' Mr. Marshall stressed: "You are making a monumental mistake and I can only hope that you will have the courage to reverse your position and ensure that the law abiding citizens are allowed to go about their business without being under the watchful eye of Big Brother.'' And he called for the public to think of the consequences of such a move by the Corporation.

"I hope that the people of Bermuda will decide that their personal liberties, and in particular, their right not to be monitored by Government, significantly outweighs what the Corporation of Hamilton is seeking to achieve by installing surveillance cameras.'' Shadow Public Safety Minister Alex Scott has also warned of a possible invasion of privacy.

"There are so many ways a camera can be used inoffensively. But there are also ways in which it can compromise the rights of private citizens and intrude on privacy.'' The Corporation hopes the $325,000 appeal target will be reached by the end of July and plans to have the system up and running by November 1.

Phase one of the programme will see cameras operating in the area from Albouy's Point to the junction of Front and Parliament Streets and as far back as Victoria Street. It will also encompass the Bulls Head Car Park.

Later phases will see cameras installed along Court Street, the area immediately west of the City and the Hamilton Docks.

Following the initial installation, it is considered relatively inexpensive to expand the system.

The cameras are mounted on buildings and monitor activity on the street. They are linked by fibre optic cable to Police Headquarters and are monitored around the clock.

Operators will be able to record any incidents and the recordings will be admissible in court.

Statistics highlight the success similar systems have experienced in the UK.

In Newcastle, reported crime has been halved since the cameras were installed four years ago.